Local education leaders met up at Horace Mann Elementary in east Bakersfield to throw their support behind a November ballot measure. Proposition 51 would require the state to match local school construction bonds.

Representatives from the Kern Community College District, Bakersfield City Schools and others say the extra money would be used to ease overcrowding and help local schools compete with wealthier, coastal ones.

Opponents say Prop 51 gives developers billions with no guarantee they’ll build in low income areas.

Kelli Forsch